The University of Minnesota Duluth women's soccer team scored early and held on late for a tight 2-1 non-conference victory against the Northern Michigan University Wildcats on Thursday evening.

Junior forward Maureen Stormont netted the first goal of UMD soccer's 20th season just before the nine-minute mark, an unassisted tally that moved her into the top ten for all-time career scoring at UMD with 51 points. Her 22nd career goal also puts her alone in the number eight spot in goals all-time for the Bulldogs.

The Wildcats came out strong after the halftime break, nearly tying the game with a shot called back by off-sides in the opening minutes of the half.

In the 67th minute, Northern Michigan's defense fouled the Bulldogs in the box, allowing senior forward Dani Potter a penalty kick attempt on which she made good, putting UMD up by a 2-0 score.

The Wildcats continued to pressure the Bulldogs, eventually pulling within one goal in the 76th minute: an Ashley Katers score assisted by Carmen Villaruel, but UMD held on to secure a season-opening victory.

UMD finished with 13 shots, including four on-net against NMU's Caroline Glantz. UMD's sophomore 'keeper Marissa Rosa finished with two saves on seven shots from the Wildcats.

Next up, the Bulldogs hit the road for a match-up with NCAA Division I North Dakota State University on Sunday afternoon. That match is set to kick-off at 1:00 p.m. in Fargo.

BOX SCORE